September

Jules Richard shows off his Lego model of AFC Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium and a hard drive containing Sir Terry Pratchett’s unpublished works is destroyed by a steamroller named Lord Jericho, at the Great Dorset Steam Fair, in accordance with the late author’s wishes.

As the Bournemouth Air Show continues, 2,000 people queue to meet the Red Arrows but the last day of flying is cancelled due to bad weather.

Police launch a murder probe after the body of 25-year-old Louella Fletcher-Michie, daughter of Coronation Street actor, John Michie, is discovered in woodland at Lulworth’s Bestival. A man held for questioning is later released.

Harry Redknapp is sacked as manager of Birmingham and the re-opening date for Poole Bridge is pushed back for the fourth time.

A mural of Spiderman reading a copy of the Daily Echo appears, mysteriously, on the wall of St Mary’s News in Poole.

Spud and Jaffa, two gerbils dumped in a pile of rubbish in a cage in Bournemouth’s Cleveland Walk, are rescued by the RSPCA.

Members of the Royal Signals’ White Helmets say a final goodbye to their home town of Blandford after the 90-year –old motorcycle display team is disbanded.

October

The cast members of iconic sitcom, The Brittas Empire, gather to re-open Ringwood Health and Leisure Centre, where the series was filmed. Actor Chris Barrie, Mr Brittas himself, proudly cuts the ribbon.

A family from Poole, celebrating a landmark birthday, are caught up in the horror of the Las Vegas shooting, in which 58 people are killed. Liam Donachy, 22, and his family, escape without injury.

Deadly Portuguese man ‘o’ war jellyfish are washed up on Bournemouth’s beaches while fisherman Sam Quilliam nearly dies in Boscombe, after going into cardiac arrest when a Dover sole he was kissing for 'luck' accidentally got lodged in his throat.

More than 500 people sign a petition against Poole MP Robert Syms receiving a knighthood while in Southbourne, Storm Brian causes parts of the doomed Boscombe surf reef to wash up on the beach.

The mother of Bournemouth fighter Jac Holmes, who was killed while fighting Islamic State in Syria, pays tribute to her courageous son. “He stood up for what he believed in,” says Angie Blannin.

November 2017

Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown’s former teacher praises the youngster who used to attend school in Boscombe.

The Swanage family of teenager Gaia Pope launch a massive search after she goes missing. Two people are arrested on suspicion of murder but are later released. After clothes are found near the coastal path, Dorset police discover the teenager’s body and conclude there is ‘no one else involved in Gaia’s death’.

The re-opening of Poole Bridge is delayed for the fifth time – because some of the new parts it needs are still abroad, says the council.

The family of teenager Jack Gudge, who died minutes after being punched in the face in Winton last year, are told no one will face charges in connection with the incident.

December

Dorset is bathed in ghostly light by the December supermoon.

Chris Rea fans send their love after the ‘Driving Home for Christmas’ star cancels his BIC concert due to illness.

Lymington’s Christmas shoppers are delighted by a seal, swimming off the quayside. It is snapped by keen photographer Emma Duguid.

In a nightmare before Christmas, Eddie Howe sees his team crash 4-0 to Liverpool at the Vitality Stadium.